Dine Brands Global is accelerating its restaurant expansion strategy with a sharp increase in new unit openings, dual-branded restaurant development and relocation-led growth across Applebee’s and IHOP.
The parent company of Applebee’s, IHOP and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop opened 24 new restaurants during the first quarter of fiscal 2026, more than double the 10 units opened during the same period last year. The growth was driven by dual-branded Applebee’s-IHOP locations, restaurant relocations and new standalone openings.
According to the company’s first-quarter 2026 earnings release, Dine Brands currently operates more than 3,300 restaurants globally across its portfolio. The system includes approximately 1,746 IHOP restaurants, 1,497 Applebee’s locations and 72 dual-branded Applebee’s-IHOP restaurants worldwide.
As of March 29, 2026, the company had 35 domestic dual-branded Applebee’s-IHOP restaurants and 37 international dual-branded locations. During the quarter alone, Dine Brands added 10 new domestic dual-brand units and 10 international dual-brand restaurants.
Dine Brands CEO John Peyton said the company remains focused on long-term expansion through dual-brand formats and restaurant modernization initiatives.
In the company’s earnings release, Peyton stated: “Development remains a key priority for long-term growth driven by our dual-brand formats, the Applebee’s Lookin’ Good remodel program and targeted investments in our company-owned portfolio.”
The company is targeting approximately 80 domestic dual-branded restaurants by the end of 2026. Peyton also revealed that Dine Brands currently has 43 dual-branded restaurants operating and another 13 under development.
The dual-brand format allows guests to order from both Applebee’s and IHOP menus in a single restaurant. Dine Brands says the concept is generating stronger average unit volumes and higher customer spending than traditional single-brand restaurants.
The company’s development strategy is also being supported by relocations and remodels. Peyton said two recently relocated Applebee’s restaurants delivered sales increases of more than 50% compared to their previous sites, including one location that recorded a 95% sales jump.
Dine Brands is simultaneously pushing forward with Applebee’s “Lookin’ Good” remodel initiative, which includes renovations across acquired company-owned restaurants and selected franchise locations. Five company-owned Applebee’s restaurants are also being converted into dual-branded units.
Chief Financial Officer Vance Chang said the company’s investment strategy is being shaped by positive franchisee response and customer demand. “Our continued investment in dual brand development, remodels, and our company owned portfolio is driven by the positive feedback from our franchisees and our guests,” Chang said in the earnings release.
The company also increased its company-owned restaurant count from 58 to 86 restaurants over the past year following acquisitions of Applebee’s locations and continued dual-brand conversions.
